Organised by CoolTan Arts to celebrate World Mental Health Day, which takes place annually on October 10, the Altered States exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery, explores themes relating to changes in the way people feel, see or think.

Artists from CoolTan Arts, have been working with artists from the Dulwich Picture Gallery to produce art work for the exhibition.

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Louisa Nicholl, one of the CoolTan artists wrote a poem entitled Harvest, on which she based her artwork for the exhibition.

She said: “I was absolutely amazed at how everybody’s idea of an altered state was interpreted in totally different ways – it was a lovely process to watch my poem become a print.”

Kathrin Kirrmann, communications officer at the CoolTan Arts said: “CoolTan Arts’ Altered States exhibition celebrates World Mental Health Day, a world wide and a unified effort to promote greater public awareness and understanding of mental health and mental illness.

CoolTan Arts will have a stall at Morley College on the 6th of December.

61 Westminster Bridge Rd, London, SE1 7HT

Why volunteer? – Need help getting back into work? Want to give back to the community?

Volunteers do a wonderful job and CoolTan couldn’t exist without the work they do. If you would like to help us please do get in touch.

Volunteering at CoolTan Arts can help you gain confidence and new skills, get some work experience, make new friends. Cheryl has been volunteering with CoolTan Arts since June 2008 as an admin volunteer. She enjoys volunteering with CoolTan Arts because she is interested in Arts and likes the creative atmosphere; she is in control of her own schedule and can do tasks relevant to her skills and experience.

The artworks in this exhibition were created by CoolTan Arts to celebrate Black History Month.

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CoolTan Artists worked at the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre and used the environment of Elephant & Castle to explore in the broadest possible sense what Black History Month might mean in a multicultural environment.

CoolTan Arts would like to thank Morley College, and in particular Kathleen McLauchlan, Lena Augustinson and Jane Hartwell for organising this exhibition.

Map and Directions for Morley College

CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle Sponsored Walk on 10 October 2009 attracted over 80 people, marching to celebrate World Mental Health Day and raise money for CoolTan Arts.

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Walkers were welcomed by Michelle Baharier, Chief Executive of CoolTan Arts, the Mayor of Lambeth, Christopher Wellbelove, past mayor of Southwark Bob Skelly, London Assembly member and deputy chief of Transport Valerie Shawcross and TV Chef Rosemary Shrager. All the speakers highlighted the importance of art and walking on everyone’s mental health and well being, the social element of a community walk and how it can help people overcome barriers and stigma.

Have you or anyone close to you had knowledge or personal experience of mental distress? Do you like walking, are you interested in breaking down stigma around mental health, reach out to the general public and encourage people to exercise? Then join CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle group and become a walk leader!

This is a fun role developing history and exercise, telling stories of history in relation to mental health and the London borough of Southwark, researching, meeting people, having fun. You could lead groups of people on a historical walk every third Saturday of the month and the Sponsored Walk, take people who are on wards at the Maudsley Hospital, work with a group of volunteers to develop the walk and learn more about Southwark.

Are you interested in London’s hidden stories? Do you have an interest in and knowledge of Southwark and / or mental health? CoolTan Arts is looking for volunteers to support the Largactyl Shuffle development workshop, share your knowledge and help with research, making it exciting and interactive.

You need to be available for the group meetings on Thursdays 2pm-4pm.

The guided Largactyl Shuffle walks are every third Saturday of the month with an annual Sponsored Walk in October.

Upcoming topics: Summer Heat, Love, Laughter (August), Harvest Moon Walk (September), All Saints Day (November), A Christmas Light (December), Holocaust (January), Gay history and Love (February), International Women’s Day (March).

We are looking for people who might be interested in contributing stories about mental health and the labels that you have been given for our podcasts, as a part of an ongoing project at CoolTan Arts, our Funny Farm web site and forum. It could be funny, shocking, inspiring, or simply yours; tell us about the labels you have been confronted with in life, at work and/or in hospital; learn to record and create conversations online and meet people; share and listen to your own stories.

Have a look at www.afunnyfarm.org.uk for inspiration.

If interested, please contact Kathrin at CoolTan Arts on 020 77012696 or kathrin@cooltanarts.org.uk.

CoolTan Arts has a new reception area and we need volunteers to paint the room and put up shelves.

If you can help, please contact us on 02077012696 or volunteers@cooltanarts.org.uk.

CoolTan Arts is looking for volunteer office assistants to provide administrative support, help at the reception and with general office duties. This role involves a lot of different tasks and is crucial for the smooth running of the organisation. If you are interested, please contact Asia or Clara on volunteers@cooltanarts.org.uk or 020 77012696.